Method and apparatus for tomographic tough imaging and interactive system using same

Abstract

A touch screen in the form of a panel is capable of conducting signals and a tomograph including signal flow ports is positioned adjacent the panel with the signal flow ports arrayed around the border of the pan& at discrete locations. Signals are introduced into the panel to pass from each discrete border location to a plurality of other discrete border locations for being detected and tomographically processed to determine if any change occurred to signals due to the panel being touched during signal passage through the panel, and therefrom determine any local area on the panel where a change occurred. The tomograph computes and outputs a signal indicative of a panel touch and location, which can be shown on a display,

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims the priority and benefit of previously filed Argentinean Patent Application No. 20070105651 filed on Dec. 17, 2007, in the name of Victor Manuel Suarez Rovere, which is here incorporated by reference in its entirety.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]1. Field of the Invention[0003]This invention relates to a method and apparatus for tomographic touch imaging sensor and interactive system using same. More particularly, the invention relates to a method and apparatus for touch sensitive devices for computing systems or for controlling actions of associated devices or equipment, and still more particularly, to devices that detect and / or process simultaneously multiple touch interactions (by fingers or other objects) at distinct locations on a touch-sensitive surface.[0004]2. Prior Related Art[0005]Many types of input devices are presently available for performing operations in a computing system, such as buttons or keys...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0011]The present invention can be implemented with a very dear and homogeneous material, like a simple sheet of acrylic. Also, because the panel can be very thin, a slim and small system including a flat display can be made, thus enabling the system to be portable.

[0012]Several objects and advantages of my invention are listed as follows.a) To provide a device that is sensitive to touch and able to detect objects when they are making a subtle pressure. If the object touching is a finger of an user the invention can provide a tactile feedback. This is in contrast to proximity sensors which can be activated when the user isn't touching anything.b) To provide a touch sensitive device that can provide a digital representation of nearly all areas where there is a touch interaction available. This is in contrast to devices that provide location information of just a few touch interactions simultaneously.c) To provide a touch sensitive device that can be thin, thus having a large relative surface area with respect to volume.d) To provide a touch sensitive device that can have a transparent touch panel so that it can include a display visible through the panel.e) To provide a touch sensitive device that can be interactive by providing output information related to touch interactions,f) To provide a thin touch sensitive device that can be flat, or non-planar (e.g. domed) in 3-dimensional space.g) To provide, in some embodiments, a touch sensitive device that can detect a zero-pressure contact.h) To provide, in some embodiments, a touch sensitive device that can discriminate regarding more than one level of pressure on possible different touch interactions that occurs simultaneously.i) To provide, in some embodiments, a touch sensitive device that can be robust to some external unwanted interfering signals.j) To provide, in some embodiments, a touch sensitive device that can have a transparent touch area of quite low absorption with respect to visible light, useful to make the power requirements of a possibly attached display less demanding.k) To provide, in some embodiments, a touch sensitive device that can be constructed with elements relatively easy to manufacture.

Problems solved by technology

Other such input devices need to put complex elements on a panel that obstruct vision.

As these other such input devices need to have at least some transparency, but not 100%, this requirement makes it difficult to manufacture, affecting costs.

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